Francuski
The work ofthe Swiss artist Hans Josephsohn (1920-2012), one of the
greatmasters of sculpture of the second half of the 20th century
Born in1920 in Eastern Prussia from Jewish parents, Hans Josephsohn left Germany
in 1937 andsettled in Florence with the aim of studying art. Forced to leave due
to fascistracial laws, he moved to Switzerland, which became his adoptive country.
Josephsohn’soeuvre has been defined as “existential sculpture”: in a time that was
stronglycharacterised by the physical and moral devastation left by World War II,
HansJosephsohn developed a language capable to talk about the fragile relationship
of mankindwith the surrounding world. He was concerned with representing the
human beingas a figure in space throughout his life. His sculptures are characterised
by anambivalence of the almost abstract figure whose individuality is secured by its
form,material and surface.
The book ispublished on the occasion of the biggest Josephsohn exhibition at the
Musée d’ArtModerne in Paris, curated by the german painter Albert Oehlen. It aims
to show whyJosephsohn, though being little known during his lifetime, is recognized
as “themost important sculptor since Giacometti” (Jackie Wullschlager).
The bookincludes a foreword by Fabrice Hergott, director of Musée d’Art Moderne;
anintroduction by the exhibition curator, the artist Albert Oehlen; abiographical
essay byJackie Wullschlager, chief-critic of the Financial Times and author of thecelebrated
biographyMonet. The restless vision; an essay by Max Dax on archetype and
an essay onJosephson’s spiritual dimension and archaic qualities by British sculptor
ThomasHouseago; a photo essay on the Josephsohn-Estate in St. Gallen by leading
internationalphotographer François Halard; a wide-ranging oral history compiled out
of eightnew interviews with Josephsohn’s closest allies and family, including both his
wifes, thehead of his foundry Felix Lehner as well as the Swiss architect Peter Märkli,
whodesigned La Congiunta museum for Josephsohn’s works in Ticino; an essay by
Frenchphilosopher Danièle Cohn about memory, trauma and space in Josephsohn’s
work;Josephsohn in his own words and biographical details. The book is designed
by theacclaimed art director Mike Meiré and Christopher Tröster.
